Coach Tim Marshall of the Blazers Exposure program is known for his booming voice during games, however you will always find that he is teaching and encouraging his players. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/PSB
Basketball is no longer just a sport that is played with high school teams during the winter months. Travel teams from every age level compete in tournaments nationwide from spring until the fall. Much of the basketball that is being played is geared towards getting players exposure for college basketball. An important part of good exposure is playing with an organization that does a quality job of teaching, developing and organizing players in their area. We have put together a list of the common principles that the good programs consistently do at our PeachStateBasketball.com events.
Want more information on quality organizations from around the country? Visit our #PSBFamily page of programs that we endorse by clicking the icon below:
The Great 8 in Travel Basketball
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Submit your roster ahead of time
The purpose of exposure tournaments/events is to get your player’s names recognized by coaches and evaluators. Without a complete roster – exposure becomes impossible.
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Make sure your roster is accurate.
Obviously there are circumstances where players have left a jersey at the hotel room, etc., however playing a tournament where all of your information is wrong makes it very hard to identify the correct players.
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Show up early to games
Getting your team organized and sitting in one area before a game allows players to gain focus and also relax. It also teaches your kids a good life lesson for how to be prepared in life. If your team is not going to be able to play in a tournament game, be sure to communicate with the tournament director ahead of time so he/she can make preparations. No-showing for a game reflects poorly upon your organization and ultimately upon your players.
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Encourage team unity
A big part of drawing positive attention towards your team is to get your team to act like a team before, during and after games. Warm-up routines, attire that matches and vocal leadership by players all allow the players to feel a part of something bigger.
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Be positive
It is easy to let fatigue and shortcomings get the best of you as a coach. Negative energy can creep in and suck the life out of a team. It is often the determination through adversity that prove the character of a player. As a coach, encourage those moments as much as possible.
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Hold players accountable
Kids often want to hear what they have done wrong or what they need to improve. The fine line that a coach has to walk is when to encourage and when to correct. A coach has to learn when the “Teachable Moment” is there and when it is not.
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Let the games be about the players
Drawing attention to yourself whether by berating officials or calling demonstrative timeouts are usually counter-productive. The best coaches are the ones that allow their players to be the subject of conversation after the game is over.
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Have structure and have a plan.
You do not have to be the Tara Vanderveer or the Brad Stevens of summer basketball to be an effective coach. However, it is good to have plays and calls for particular situations. There is a time to let the players play, but a good coach knows how to change the flow of a game in their favor.
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The Great 8 to Live By in Travel Basketball
Jonathan Hemingway is the owner of Coach Hemingway Basketball, Inc. Hemingway is on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He has worked within the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and journalist. He works as the assistant director of scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com and the OTRHoopsReport.com, which are scouting reports that service over 200 college and universities nationwide. Reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com.
